Guest Blogging On Cupcakes Take the Cake Today!

My year is now complete...

I was invited to guest post on the blog of all cupcake blogs:

Cupcakes Take The Cake

Read it here!

I share my love of cupcakes story and the latest on the Utah cupcake scene.

and...

I'm hosting a give-a-way for a lovely cupcake photo.

Make sure you comment on the guest post

you have two full days...deadline is January 1st at midnight EST.

Happy New Year!

Cupcake Charm and Chain by Tiffany & Co.

just saying I wouldn't mind this.
it's the cupcake charm and chain from Tiffany & Co.
I just wish the frosting were blue.

Tuesdays with Dorie - Traditional Madeleines (REWIND)

Okay, you are probably expecting to see Dorie's Tall & Creamy Cheesecake this week aren't you? Well, I already made it. See this post! It was delicious and amazing.

I skipped out on two of Decembers recipes: Grandma's All-Occasion Sugar Cookies and the Real Butterscotch Pudding. But that's okay, right? I'll make them at some point. My mom gave me a fabulous Madeleine pan from Williams-Sonoma for Christmas and I just had to put it to use...thus I'm posting a TWD recipe today.

I made Dorie's Traditional Madeleines and dusted them with powdered sugar. They were amazing. Not as hard as I thought they would be. They were so moist and had the best lemony flavoring you could imagine.

I also tried Dorie's white chocolate whipped cream recipe for a little berries and cream to pair with these french wonders. It was glorious. Anyway, be sure to check out the Tuesdays With Dorie Blogroll to see all the other groupies baking today. And don't forget to check out Anne Strawberry for the cheesecake recipe.

Next week: French Pear Tart!

Big City Slider Station

I just saw this product's commercial on the food network this morning.
I'm wondering if it is any good.
I love sliders.
and I'd love to cook me up some mini burgers...

Anyone tried this?
It's the Big City Slider Station

see some sliders i love here...from Provo's Spark Restaurant and Lounge.

Ligretto

This German card game is a family favorite of the in-laws.

Ligretto is the name.

But I like to call it speed on steriods. (speed the card game that is...)

Anyway, I love it and actually bought the hub and I a few boxes two Valentines ago. We have yet to play it this Holiday break.. (hint hint in-laws if you are reading this!)

Learn more about the game here and buy it here!

Bonanza Boots by Steve Madden

lovin' these!
almost got the purple, but grey just did it for me.

bonanza boots by steve madden
in
grey suede

The Melting Pot Cookbook - Recipes

Back in September, I told you how excited I was to see that The Melting Pot had come out with their first ever cookbook! But...I never told you I had it in my hands. Well, I do.

I haven't officially cooked out of this great new cookbook appropriately titled

"Dip into Something Different"

It's fantastic. I've thumbed through it. Skimmed recipes, read the history of fondue and the history of The Melting Pot itself! The Melting Pot was even kind (and smart enough) to include step-by-step photographs to make the best fondue. Brilliant! Picture always make a cookbook 100 percent better.

I'm also in love the variety of fondue pots and fondue dipping skewers they used in the book. Besides the large pictures displaying their amazing recipes, the folks at The Melting Pot include little pictures of very unique fondue pots and skewers. I'm in love.

They've also included notes and special tips for ingredients, preparation and cooking, along with quotes from customers on some recipes.

The cookbook is divided into the following sections:

* A Dip into the Past - The History of Fondue

* A Dip into Something Special - The History of The melting Pot

* The Golden Appeal of Cheese Fondue

* Salads and Dressings

* Hot Pots of the World

* A touch of Extra Taste

* A Deep, Abiding Passion for Chocolate Fondue

* Cocktails and Coffees

* Index

* Order Information

Now, to the good stuff. Here are the recipes I plan to try out first!

CHEESE FONDUES

* Wisconsin Trio Fondue (I already had this but have to make it again)

* Chipotle Swiss Fondue

* Macaroni and Four Cheese Fondue

SALADS & DRESSINGS

* Cherry Blossom Salad

* Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette

*Spinach Mushroom Salad

HOT POTS OF THE WORLD

* Panang Curry Chicken Marinade

* Mustard and Rosemary Marinade

* Cilantro-Lime Marinade

* Mojo Cooking Style

* Luau Cooking Style

* Coq au Vin Cooking Style

* Zen Cooking Style

* Tempura Batter

SAUCES

* Hot Honey Citrus Sauce

* Island Sauce

* Garden Herb Aioli Sauce

* Creamy Curry Dipping Sauce

* New Orleans-Style Remoulade Sauce

* Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

* Green Goddess Sauce

* Chipotle Mayonnaise

CHOCOLATE FONDUE

* Yin and Yang

* Chocolate S'mores Fondue

* The Original

* Tiramisu Fondue

* White Chocolate Butterscotch Fondue

DRINKS
* Strawberry Basil Lemonade

* Black and Blue Mojito

* Hot-Hot-Hot Toddy

Now I realize that's a big list of "recipes I want to try first." Ambitious yes. I just hope to try at least five this year. And you better believe that when I do...I'll be posting about it.

Which one do you think I should make very first? Tell me in the comments.

...did I mention the cookbook comes with coupons to THE MELTING POT restaurant!

My New Cookbooks!

looks like 09 is going to be packed full of martha cooking and new york city-inspired baked goods. i love christmas gifts!

top to bottom: baked: new frontiers in baking, sweet serendipity: delightful desserts and devilish dish, the magnolia bakery cookbook and martha stewart's cooking school.

Pepperming Bark Brownies - Take 2

I made the peppermint bark brownies again, this time for Christmas Eve. (see first try here)

...and this time with Lindsey's updated recipe.

What you think? Don't they look gorgeous on my new cake stand!

The hub must have read my mind or rather, my post.

Did I mention Happy Holidays?

...well I should have.
I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season.

enjoy this beautiful picture of holiday cheer
by
bethany jackman.

peace and love,
becky

Cupcake Apron

Look at my adorable new apron!
Yes, it's a cupcake apron!
...made by Utah's Flirty Aprons Company.

More details here on Utah Loves Cupcakes!

Apple Pie Bark - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Do you love Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory's
APPLE PIE APPLE?
I do.
All I'm saying is this:
THEY HAVE APPLE PIE BARK!

I should have snapped a pix tonight, but didn't.
My apologies.

p.s. this is a hint for a last minute stocking stuffer for yours truly.

New Polls

Hey friends!

I've got 5 new polls, head on over to the right column of the bloggie and take 'em!

For the last one, if there isn't a post category that is your favorite. Tell me what is... in the comment section!

2008 Guest Blogger Gift Guides

Thanks again, all you fabulous guest bloggers! Your gift guides were inspiring and fun. I know that everyone has loved them!

Be sure to check them all out if you are doing some last-minute shopping!

Tuesdays with Dorie - Tall and Creamy Cheesecake

After a week of skippin' out on TWD, I'm back. I needed a little break and here I am.

I made my very first real cheesecake. Thank you so very, very much Anne, of AnneStrawberry for choosing this recipe. Now friends, you'll just have to wait to see the recipe for the actual post on her blog between Dec 30 and 31.

I loved this and it was easy. The only problem that I had was a little water seeping into the bottom of my spring form pan. I lined it twice with aluminum foil, just like Dorie suggested but I had problems...and it looks like others did too. But no worries, it didn't ruin the whole cheesecake.

Oh...and be prepared to let it cook a total of 2.5 hours! It's worth the wait.

I stuck with the original recipe, though I did buy some of Anna's ginger thins for the next I make it!!! This is a keeper and dare I say my absolute favorite Dorie recipe. (i'm not just saying that!!!)

On a side note: the hub and I were up at the Gateway Sur la Table in SLC last weekend. I was browsing for some gifts and saw a couple pick up "Baking: From my Home to Yours," I immediately walked up to them and exclaimed, "That is a fabulous book! I love it and bake from it weekly!" I'm not sure what they thought of me...but I just feel I have to tell everyone how great this book is!

Be sure to check out all the other Tuesday with Dorie groupies...most of them will be making Real Butterscotch Pudding! Yum Yum.

Next Week: Not sure...I may or may not do the sugar cookies. I'm still deciding.

Peppermint Bark Brownies

Ahhh, peppermint bark!

Ahhh, brownies.

Peppermint bark + brownies = AHH-MAZING!

I found this irresistible recipe by Lindsey on her blog, Cafe Johnsonia.

I made it a few weeks ago and LOVED it.

I undercooked them, but they were still good. And what do you know...she reads my mind and updates her post with a how-to/troubleshooting guide! ---all just today! Thanks Lindsey!

Guys, you have to try this recipe!

Guest Blogger Gift Guide - Bethany Jackman

Editor's Note: Our last guest post...wow! Who knew this would be so much fun. Let's hand it to Bethany Jackman, of Bethany Jackman Photography Blog. She is an amazing and stylish chica who knows her way around a camera. You should already know I love her work.

I am so excited to be a guest on Project Domestication, thank you for having me!

Whether you are an artist in any form, be it photography, painting, decorating, designing, quilting, cooking, creating...from a beginner to an already beyond-amazing artist who I would blush around (which is common)...then you know that after all the equipment is paid for and after you've mastered all the buttons and brush strokes, you need to fill your days with things that inspire you. Things that you think are pretty, things that make you happy. Things that make you feel good about yourself and your work. And then after a long day of work and criticism, you need to surround yourself with the people, places, and things that you love.

With that said, here are some of my most favorite wish list items this Christmas. Perhaps this will give you some ideas for you or for the artists in your life.

1. An inspiration board for my office space.

design for mankind made this amazing little e-zine of real life inspiration boards. go here to see her 2nd issue. My favorites are on page 1 and page 19.

2. A chair or couch, be it from anthro or DI.

like this one from anthropologie. i'd love to find something similar at a thrift store.


3. Pretty stationary

for letters or thank you cards, like letterpress cards from sycamore street press


4. Cute flats

like the french sole 'season' flat in yellow. the best days are the days you love your shoes!


5. Shoulder bag

like this one from elsa bags on etsy


6. Scented wallflowers or candles.

heaven.


7. Yoga passes. so therapeutic.


8. Netflix subscription

movies can take you away. (and this one is beyond inspirational to me). also, this is something i may not buy for myself.


9. Restaurant gift cards

you just can't fail with food.


10. A night off with my husband

or my best friend. or my sister. this might be the most perfect gift.


Merry Christmas!

About Bethany: Have you ever met someone that is just so darn cool you want to be her friend? Well, meet Bethany. She’s my friend, bah!!! She’s got this cute thing going on—whether it’s her sense of fashion, charming kindness or her fantastic photos—she’s got it nailed. Bethany blogs at her live feed on Bethany Jackman Photography. She photos those in love, people she loves and the life she loves. I’m continually inspired by her and escape from my cube world every time I get to look at her blog.

Some favorite photos of mine: it just so happens her newest post is a new fave, this pair of wedding rings in a sunflower and um…everything else. She’s a native Coloradian living in the Utah Valley. Check out her blog, you’ll become addicted. And if you are looking for a photographer—she’s your gal! (Non-Utah Zip Code peeps, she does travel!) Thanks Bethany!

Mucinex is my friend...

this stuff works.

nuff said.

Guest Blogger Gift Guide - Ford Frenzy

Editor's Note: Warning, get ready to laugh or be offended or both. You never know. Either way, you'll remember this guest post from Cindy of Ford Frenzy.

While I don't have a specific theme of my blog, I do have one thing I strive to be: funny.

First on my list, the Pro Thumb Wrestling Ring. Great option for the sports fanatic who is looking to perfect another skill on those long, cold winter nights. Only $5.95 and comes with a sweet booklet with tips on how to win and cheat tips!

This next one could be blasphemous but can't help myself. Jesus bandages. Comes with 'healing power'. Awesome stocking stuffer on Christmas morning.

A great idea for those political minded friends of yours, no matter what party they belong to! Anyone can appreciate the classic Hilary Nut Cracker, functional and funny. One of my friends has these and it seconds as a sweet conversation piece. Nuts not included.

The Leg Lamp. I have no other words other than I know that I would be stoked to see this under my Christmas tree on December 25.

Nothing in this world beats a good, solid game of cards. But why stick with the old, bicycle version of playing cards when you can have the new and improved Russian Government Leaders Political playing cards?! (If you click on the link, make sure to scroll down some to get to the cards). It features Czars, Socialists, and some guy who looks like Napoleon.

Even if you don't pick Mike Knipper's (our techy-guru who works on the Apple iPhone team) name for Christmas, just know that he loves this next gift as much as I do. First seen worn by Dr. Bob, this shirt is perfect for a music lover, a tech nerd, or anyone into "Geek Chic". It is a Sound Activated T-Equalizer that makes dancing and concert going even better.

Lastly, I love buying books for people, but sometimes I worry I'll pick the wrong book. Well, the world has done it again and now we can all co-author our very own Personalized Book! Choose between Romance, Mystery, or books for Kids and you get a read that will not let you down. There are several different plot lines and titles to choose from, but I have to share my personal fave: Vampire Kisses.

The website says the following: "Vampire Kisses begins with a chance meeting of our heroine and hero at a college library, but their encounter is short lived as our main man suddenly vanishes... leaving our heroine lusting for more...Remember: You co-author Vampire Kisses by selecting the heroine, hero and heroine's best friend - and even your dog or cat! Vampire Kisses is 175 pages, professionally bound, with over 26 characteristics to personalize making it a gift that is truly unique and sentimental. A gift that will be cherished forever."

About Cindy: Cindroid, oh how I love this girl. She's a real-world buddy. She's crazy, she's cool--and she was my only female partner for 2-years of tailgating. Sadly, the Cindy and I only became better friends in the last year before she moved away. However, I feel our friendship has only gotten stronger with each blog post.

Check out her blog, Ford Pride/Ford Frenzy...whatever you call it, it is full of the Ford. Some of my favorite posts include: anit-cat (sorry cat lovers...i just hate cats and i'm insanely allergic to them), Meet Howeezi and Yes I live at home. Enjoy everyone and Merry Christmas.